Valmiki Ramayana 1.21.11: Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 11
बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः · Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon
Lore
Spoken by Vasistha to King DaśarathaSetting: Ayodhyā (court narration continues)Places named: trailokya (three worlds)
एषोऽस्त्रान् विविधान्वेत्ति त्रैलोक्ये सचराचरे ।
नैनमन्यः पुमान्वेत्ति न च वेत्स्यन्ति केचन ॥११॥
eṣo ’strān vividhān vetti trailokye sacarācare |
nainam anyaḥ pumān vetti na ca vetsyanti kecana ||11||
إنه يعلم شتّى الأسلحة الإلهية في العوالم الثلاثة، بين الكائنات المتحركة والساكنة. لا يعرفها رجلٌ آخر كما يعرفها هو، ولن يعرفها أحدٌ في المستقبل.
Sandhi Notes
- एषोऽस्त्रान् = एषः + अस्त्रान्
- नैनम् = न + एनम्
- पुमान्वेत्ति = पुमान् + वेत्ति
This Viswamitra knows the use of various kinds of weapons which no one knows among the animate and the inanimate in the three worlds. Nor will any one even know in future.
The teaching
Mastery gained by discipline can become singular and unsurpassed; knowledge carries responsibility and rightful transmission.
- Ethical theme
- Vidyā-dharma / guru-śiṣya paramparā
Devotion and practice
Inspiration for mantra-sādhana discipline and reverence for guru-held vidyā; emphasizes humility before true mastery.
- Form of praise
- Stuti (a hymn of praise)
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Adbhuta (wonder), with Vira (heroism)
- Mood
- Awe-struck, cosmic, unmatched
Themes
- Dharma
- Satya
- Rishi-tejas
- Itihasa
- Ethics
Vidyā that comprehends the manifest (cara/achara) hints at the seer+cs expansive consciousness; lower vidyā (aparā) perfected as a step toward higher realization.
Muṇḍaka distinction of aparā vidyā (mantra/kalpa) and parā; here mastery of mantra-astra as perfected sacred technique.
- Vishwamitra and Divine weapons
- Mastery/guardianship of mantra-astra knowledge (awe)
Mahābhārata: Droṇa/Arjuna weapon-lore hyperboles (comparative motif); Purāṇic lists of astras and mantra-weapons
Vedic mantra efficacy as operative power
Bālakāṇḍa later: Viśvāmitra bestows astras to Rāma (continuation of this theme)
Anuṣṭup
Narrative
Rising cadence on "trāilokye" and firm nyāsa on "na cā"
FAQs
It teaches reverence for legitimate spiritual authority: knowledge and power gained through dharma and tapas deserve trust and obedience, not suspicion.
The speaker emphasizes Viśvāmitra’s unmatched mastery of astras to reassure Daśaratha that the sage can guide and protect Rāma.
Viśvāmitra’s mastery and disciplined knowledge—power governed by ascetic attainment rather than ego.
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